Anal Gland Health

[Sarah]

A subject to make you wince and feel sick but a very serious one.

What are Anal Glands?
Anal glands are sacks which are found either side of the anus in many mammals including dogs and cats (not humans )


What do Anal Glands do?
Sebaceous glands within the lining secrete a liquid which is foul smelling to humans. This liquid is used for scent marking in dogs and is expressed when the dog passes a firm stool. They are the reason dogs sniff each others bottoms when they meet.

Problem with Anal Glands
If the glands do not empty problems can occur anything from scooting to impactions and accesses which would need to be treated by your vet and can make your dog very poorly.

Symptoms
Scooting (dragging bottom on the floor)
Licking and/or biting at it's back end
Smelly breath and a swollen anus

Treatment
For minor issues like scooting you will need to express your dogs glands, you can either get a vet or groomer to do it or do it yourself.

The glands are located at 4 and 8 o'clock by the anus they feel like little peas. To express them you want to push a gloved finger (you can do without but it can get messy) and put firm pressure on the glands and squeeze up. There are two openings at the side which will drain the liquid out. It will be anything from clear liquid (very healthy) to thick brown stinky paste (not good). Any traces of blood you should visit your vet.

**WARNING GRAPHIC**

Here is a video of a cats anal glands being expressed it is exactly the same principal. If you have an iffy stomach I don't recommend watching it

www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJStqOPCFdA&feature=youtube_gdata_player


Remember if you are in doubt visit your vet , if you dog shows any signs of infections visit the vet

[Lucy]

Brilliant thread!

[Kristi]

I wanted to add they can get "plugged", that's what happens to Bryco. Even though everything is healthy, excreting them is next to impossible for him, or me...because the little holes are so small nothing can come out. I have to take him in 3-4 times a year to have them done by the vet, because I don't feel comfortable doing it myself as it requires so much pressure. If you can't do it easily yourself, its best to have a vet do it!

[Codi]

I think Bella needs her's done, but I'm scared! And she can't go to the vet's to do it yet because she hasn't had her Rabies vaccination yet.

[Sarah]

It doesn't really bother me at all I wasn't scared but then I'm quite brave with things like this! Codi take her to a groomer!!

Kristi I didn't know that :s bit gross

[Lowenchi]

I was to scared my mum did perrys last nigh and they were like the cats on that video I was shocked! He must be feeling so much better now.

[Lucy]

I usually do them myself but at the moment Gambit's seem to be very full and very painful for him so I'm hopefully taking him to a groomer to get them done today. I don't feel like going to the vets and paying £30! LMAO

[Codi]

It's only like $7 for the groomer at Petsmart to do it, but they require the Rabies vaccination, which my girls haven't gotten yet, I prolly will get it for them in about a month. Plus, I think it would traumatize her. It won't be much different then when my DH and I had to squeeze a huge chunk of solid poo out of her that she couldn't get on her own..